Precautions for Carbon Fiber Wheels
Service Repair Bulletin SRV-SRB-20-029
Date:
To:
From:

July 7, 2020
Dealer Principal, General Manager, Service Manager, North American Dealer
Network
Richard Kenton, Technical Director
Eric Bradley, Technical Training and Publications Manager

Dear Dealers,
Carbon fiber wheels and components are installed standard on some special Ducati Models
(1199 Superleggera, 1299 Superleggera, and Superleggera V4) or available as Ducati
Performance accessories. This wheel construction provides significant handling benefits due
to its inherent strength and lightness. This bulletin is to provide you with information about
the technical and aesthetic features as well as the use and maintenance rules of carbon fiber
components
This bulletin provides basic care and service guidelines for Ducati Carbon fiber wheels,
including:
•
•

Aesthetic features
Cleaning of carbon fiber components

•
•

Tire Replacement
Valve Stem Replacement

•

Use of Tire Warmers

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Precautions for Carbon Fiber Wheels
Service Repair Bulletin SRV-SRB-20-029
WARNING
Damage to carbon components due to improper care and service practices is not a
warrantable defect and is the sole responsibility of the dealer to correct
Aesthetic features
•

Carbon fiber is a handcrafted product and for this reason any aesthetic imperfections are
to be considered normal. Moreover, the use of resins resistant to high temperatures can
lead to the formation of white marks or color alterations on the surface

•

In case of a fall, the carbon may not deform, but its internal structure could get damaged.
This damage might not be obvious from a visual inspection, and it is critical to carefully
assess each component in the case of possible damage. Please contact your Service Area
Manager for assistance if required.

Wheel Cleaning
For carbon fiber surfaces and components, use only water and neutral solvent-free detergents
with a soft clean cloth. Ensure components are cooled prior to cleaning. (carefully read the
instructions listed in the Owner's Manual)
WARNING
For Matte finishes, use a soft and clean microfiber cloth for cleaning. Do NOT use
brushes or abrasive sponges. Do NOT scrub the surface as it may scuff or polish the
finish, permanently damaging the Matte surface.
WARNING
Do NOT use solvents or other chemical products as they may damage the finish
and/or the structure of the carbon fiber.
Please refer to the Service Memo dated April 30, 2020 Cleaning your Ducati Motorcycle for
Finish Maintenance and Personal Hygiene, and SRV-SRB-20-018 Instructions for proper
sanitation of the motorcycle and workshop.

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Precautions for Carbon Fiber Wheels
Service Repair Bulletin SRV-SRB-20-029
Tire Replacement
Carbon fiber rims require some precautions in case of tire replacement. Tires must only be fitted
with a specific tire changer. Do not use levers or similar tools as they can damage the rims.
WARNING
Prior to beginning work, ensure the tire replacement equipment is set up properly.
• Ensure all clamps and tooling have proper functional Plastic/ Rubber/ Silicone/
Delrin guards to prevent contact from metal tooling on the carbon surfaces
•

Ensure the bead braking clamp has the proper soft guards installed on both the
base and actuating arm, and the actuating arm does not contact the carbon rim
during use

•

Ensure mounting clamps are only applied inward to the rim lip and not outward into
the rim face. Inspect the rim for damages prior to mounting a tire. Inspect the entire
rim for visible signs of structural damage. Ensure there are no nicks, scrapes, or
gouges to the exterior or the bead sealing surface of the rim

•

Ensure the valve stem is properly torqued prior to tire installation (see service
manual for appropriate torque settings)

•

Set the pressure regulator on the tire machine to the specification defined by the
wheel manufacturer prior to use

Please find below the procedure for the correct installation of the tire on the rim:
1.

Position the tire in the clamps of the tire changer with the spokes facing upwards; this
position is necessary to have the shortest distance between the depression (drop center)
on rim inner profile and the edge of the lip of the rim itself.

2. Apply tire-specific lubricant or soap solution, ONLY on the inner and outer walls of the tire.
3. After positioning the tire in the rim, position the foot of the tire changer arm at a distance

between 3 to 5 mm from the lip of the rim itself, both axially and radially, so that when the
tire bead starts to apply a force to the foot, all the force is absorbed by the arm of the
machine and not by the carbon rim.

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Precautions for Carbon Fiber Wheels
Service Repair Bulletin SRV-SRB-20-029
WARNING
The foot must NOT be in contact with the rim during the installation process.

Foot of the Tire
Changer

Foot of the Tire
Changer

3 to 5 mm Axial Distance

3 to 5 mm Radial Distance
4. Position the tire on the foot of the tire changer so that it can slide over the foot itself and
over the rim lip; then turn the tire changer plate, trying to keep the tire bead as much as
possible in the depression of the rim. If the tire or rim begin to slip between them, reverse
the direction of the plate and reposition most of the tire bead in the depression before
turning the plate.
5. Repeat step 4 to slide the other part of the tire over the foot of the tire changer. This step
proves easier if carried out by two people since it will thus be possible to keep most of the
bead inside the rim depression with a consequent easier tire installation. If the tire or rim
starts to slip, reverse the direction of the tire changer plate and reposition the bead in the
rim depression.
6. Once both tire beads have been fitted to the rim lip, the tire can be inflated so that the
beads go into place. The required pressure to achieve this result ranges between 2.8 to 3.2
bar (40-46 psi).

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Precautions for Carbon Fiber Wheels
Service Repair Bulletin SRV-SRB-20-029
WARNING
➢ Apply the special lubricant EXCLUSIVELY on the tire and just as much as required
to allow tire fitting. An excessive quantity of lubricant can lead to tire slipping on
rim resulting in the loss of balance
➢ Do NOT apply the lubricant directly on wheel rim
➢ The foot of the guide arm must not contact the rim
➢ Do NOT exceed 40-46 psi (2.8-3.2 bar)to seat tire bead to rim
➢ Use only tools with a lower surface hardness than the resin used to impregnate the
fiber (for example wood and teflon)
Valve Stem Replacement
Replace valve stems as required, only with Ducati approved components. Carbon surfaces are
torque critical. Ensure the valve stem is tightened to the appropriate torque specified for the
wheel in the latest workshop manual. (See Sec. 7: "Chassis – Front/Rear wheel - Overhauling
of the Front/Rear wheel" of the Workshop Manual)
To replace pressure valves, follow the procedure below:
1. With the help of a knife or blade, remove the silicone from the side of the valve with the
nut.
2. Loosen nut and then remove pressure valve.
3. Remove nut from valve.
4. Remove the new pressure valve and make sure that the O-Ring is present and that the
hole, threads, and valve seat are free from dirt and/or obstructions.
5. Working on wheel inner side, insert the valve inside the relevant hole on the rim.
6. Apply Loctite 2701 on the valve threads only.
7. Start nut on valve thread by hand.
8. Use the tool that holds valve firmly in place and the specific socket t orque wrench to
tighten nut on valve to a torque of 10 Nm.
9. Make sure that valve is aimed correctly and apply silicone sealant to nut and carbon rim
surface.
WARNING
➢ Do NOT apply sealant prior to installing the valve stem!
➢ Damage due to over-torque of the valve stem is not a warrantable defect and is the
sole responsibility of the dealer to correct
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Precautions for Carbon Fiber Wheels
Service Repair Bulletin SRV-SRB-20-029
Use of Tire Warmers
Tire warmers can be used to preheat the tires when the motorcycle is used on the track. Only
open type tire warmers that do not cover the rim can be used. The maximum temperature for
tire warmer is 80°C/176°F.
WARNING
In case of tire warmers use for tires fitted on carbon fiber rims, it is necessary to:
• Test heaters and regulators to ensure they work correctly prior to use on the
motorcycle
• Do not use closed tire warmers (side covers that cover the whole wheel)
• Do not exceed the heating temperature of 176°F / 80°C

For questions about this Service Bulletin,
please contact your Service Area Manager.

Disclaimer: This document is provided as a general guide and cannot cover every eventuality to prevent
damage or identify underlying damage to carbon components. This also does not guarantee finish
damage will not occur if services are performed improperly. Always refer to cleaning and safety
instructions in product manuals. Ducati is in no way responsible for harm due to the use or misuse
of the information, suggestions, or practices contained herein.

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